Our Staff

Alan Cleveland – Lead Pastor

Susan and I, along with our four daughters, moved to Oshkosh in December 1998 when I joined the Community Church staff as an associate pastor. In October 2004 I became the Lead Pastor. Since that time our family has expanded with the addition of four incredible sons-in-law, one beautiful granddaughter, and one Golden Retriever. Our church family has also grown and I am blessed to serve the Lord in such an exciting church family!

I didn’t grow up in Wisconsin but spent most of my growing up years in New York State. After going to Wheaton College (IL) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MA), I served in a church in Pennsylvania and one in Michigan. While in Michigan I completed my Doctor of Ministry from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids.

I enjoy a good cup of coffee, a good read and time with my family. Though I lived near New York, Boston and Chicago my football loyalties have always been with the Packers.

Karl Kramer – Youth & Family Pastor

I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I met and married my highschool sweetheart Heather. We both attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. While attending Moody, I was hired at a church in the west suburb of Hinsdale, where I spent 8 years as youth pastor before coming to Community Church in 2005. In 2010 I became the Associate Pastor of Adult Ministries, and recently transitioned to Youth and Family Pastor in 2015. I love spending time with my family and enjoy the outdoors. Heather and I have 9 children; Amelia, Hannah, Bethany, Weston (who passed away in 2009), Jakobi, Hope, Ian, Silas, and Karleigh.

Joe Aronson – Community Life Pastor

Born and raised in Winneconne, WI, I haven’t strayed too far from home. I graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a bachelor’s in religious studies. Prior to graduation, I interned with Pastor Karl Kramer in Student Ministries and have been at Community Church ever since. During this internship, I met my lovely wife, Anna. We were married in 2010. We have three young kids, Jude, Hazel, and Amos. Currently I am pursuing a graduate degree from Western Seminary, based in Portland, OR. In my very limited free time, I enjoy eating good food (not Mexican) and traveling with my wife and kids. Oh, and I like to play Xbox once in a great while.

David Johnson – Site Pastor – New City

Staff bios are always a little weird to write. Without sounding self involved…here are a few details that you “might” want to know. I grew up on the east side of Oshkosh, spending my childhood as the pastor’s kid at Community Church. I took a break from the church in my twenties while playing in a few bands around Wisconsin. After my brother passed away, I sold most of my stuff and moved to Minneapolis to finish up college at Bethel University. Immediately after graduating from Bethel I was a part of a church plant in Northeast Minneapolis, where I spent almost 4 years as the director of Worship Arts. I eventually managed to land an incredible woman (Rebecca) from the deep south (Mississippi) and we married in June of 2011. Shortly after getting married, Rebecca and I started feeling a call to return to Oshkosh, to be a part of Community Church starting a church downtown. So…long story short, we are now living in Oshkosh, excited about what God is doing as this new church community grows.

In my free time I find rest sipping coffee with my wife, taking an exorbitant amount of pictures, and listening to records with friends.

Jason Rahn – Worship Pastor

I was born in British Columbia, Canada and lived in California and Colorado before moving to Oshkosh in 2005. My time in ministry began in the Colorado years as I was wrapping up my masters degree in Greeley. It was there that I met and married Stephanie, and our two daughters, Emily and Amy, were born. Our time here in Wisconsin has been the best part of it all. We love being part of Community Church and the incredible people we get to live life with. Some of my favorite things to do include: playing trumpet, eating good Mexican food, and playing golf.

Drew Clayton – Worship Pastor

I was born and raised on the north east side of Oshkosh. I attended Northland International University. I married a girl from New York named Lauren in 2004 and we have two children Liam and Macy. I love playing all sports and I am a huge Packers and Badgers fan. I enjoy spending time in the mountains and at the beach. My favorite food is my wife’s teriyaki steak kabobs. My favorite movie is “That Thing You Do” and I enjoy all genres of music. My life verse is Psalm 37:4-5.

Tommy Knautz – Worship Pastor

I grew up just outside of Chicago, IL in a town called Prospect Heights. I got involved in music at an early age by starting out on the piano. When it came time to picking an instrument for school I decided to go with the trumpet. It wasn’t long before I decided to terrorize my family by switching to drums. I have played drums for a few different worship teams and bands throughout my life. I went to college at Bethel University and graduated with a degree in Media Communication. Shortly after graduating I moved to Australia for 2 years to attend Hillsong International Leadership College where I really discovered my passion for worship leading. I moved to Oshkosh, Wi after finishing the leadership program where I met my wife, Allison. I am excited to find out what God has in store for us as we now venture on with life together.

I enjoy spending my free time by exploring new places with my wife and daughter Ivy, drinking coffee, listening to music, creating videos, watching movies, and pretending to work out.

Wayne Meier – Executive Ministry Director

I grew up primarily in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, though spent some formative years in Michigan, Minnesota, and South Dakota. I attended UW-Whitewater (Go Hawks!) which is where I met Heather. We got married in the winter of 1989 and moved to Oshkosh in the summer of 1990. Heather, Sam, and I began attending Community Church in 2001, and have been on an amazing faith journey ever since. In the fall of 2007 I came on staff here – it has truly been a blessing to see God move, I look forward to how He will continue to grow His body. I have a few verses I would call significant in my life, one of those is Philippians 3:14 – you should check it out too.

In my free time I enjoy travel with my family, checking out great restaurants, and playing as much golf as I can given the Wisconsin summer.

Wendy Lenz-Schwersenska – Children’s Ministry Director

I LOVE kids!!

I started working here in July of 2015 and have really enjoyed all of the aspects of our Children’s Ministry. Every Sunday morning I love watching the relationships grow between all of the kiddos and God; as well as kids with their peers. The way they care for each other really melts my heart.

Jeremiah and I have known each other since the age of 16. We got married in 2007. We’ve been blessed with two fantastic kiddos named Stella and Sylas – and our lives have been forever changed.

My hobbies include: camping, running, teaching “fit camp” at the Y, reading, and even those crazy mud and obstacle races.

I attended UW-Stevens Point in the early 2000’s and left with a degree in Psychology and Nutrition.

Currently Galations 5:13 is a verse of focus – especially the part where Paul talks about serving others through love.

Favorite food: I’ve never met a cookie I didn’t like.

Kim Patterson – Ministry Support Director

A Texas native raised in the Midwest, my family (husband and three children) and I moved to the Oshkosh area in 2005. We began attending Community Church in 2005 and I joined the staff in 2006. I LOVE my church and I LOVE being part of the staff family at Community Church.

I have a B.A. degree in Communication Studies from Taylor University. During my free time you may find me reading, taking walks, boating during the summer months or enjoying the Northwoods during the winter months.

Life verse: John 16:33; “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Aaron Klemp – Facilities Manager

Hi, my name is Aaron and my life verse is Proverbs 3: 11-13. I have a great wife named Sherry and a daughter named Autumn. We currently live in Winneconne. My hobbies stem from my love of the outdoors and the season fall, they include hunting, fishing, camping, and cutting firewood. My education was at UW Fox Valley, U.S. Air Force, and at the Fox Valley Tech. I worked as a millwright for 12 years before coming to Community Church. I love and miss the mountains and people of Montana. My favorite movie is Facing the Giants. I am passionate about my family, working with my hands and doing tractor therapy.